The Athletic NBA Daily
Who should the Sixers take in the NBA Draft? + Thunder Rolling | Slam N Jam
24 May 2025
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are joined by Bryce Simon of the Game Theory Podcast to discuss the NBA Draft and who the Sixers should take 3rd in the draft, which players have the most potential outside the top 3, player comps and much more. In part 2 the crew discusses the Conference Finals and if the Wolves have any answers for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Bryce SimonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Gonzalo Torres Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Full Episode
welcome to the saturday slam and jam here on the athletic nba daily on today's show we're talking to bryce simon of the game theory podcast business pulse podcast to discuss the nba draft the conference finals and then we will do some trivia with me as always is my good friend alex spears alex what's up hi andrew Sorry, I just took a big swig of water. You caught me mid-swig.
Okay, caught you mid-swig. And with us, Bryce Simon, who is one of my favorite people to listen to. If you're not listening to the Game Theory Podcast, you should be. Someone that knows a ton about the game, a ton about the draft and the playoffs, which is a pretty incredible combo. Let's be honest. There's not that many people that can do this. Bryce, welcome back to Slamma Jam.
What's up, guys? Thanks for having me back. I appreciate you having me back. Remember the first time you asked me on, I was like, man, this is kind of surreal, you know, being able to come on a podcast I've listened to for however long. And yeah, I used to be like, I don't know how people do this. Like, how do you know the draft and the NBA and all of this?
And now I'm like right in the middle of it, trying to do the best I can. So I'm excited to talk about this. And then, I mean, honestly, I'm just going to sleepwalk until the end where I'm super excited about trivia and making a fool of myself.
Well, let's start with the draft. Most draft analysts see the third pick as the first potential pivot point of the draft. Who is currently third on your big board? And do you have any strong opinions about what Philly should do with that pick?
Yeah, so Ace Bailey is still third on my big board. I think he's probably the consent... I don't know if consensus might not be the right word. Yeah, in general, I think that's still the guy you're going to find at three. I think you will find a mixture of opinions in terms of some people will say Ace is definitely number three for...
We don't have to say it this way anymore, but if 30 different teams, any team that landed number three would draft Ace Bailey. I don't know that that is the case for everybody, though. I think some people would have Vijay. Some people, you know who I think is a good riser in this range is Trey Johnson. I think he's done really well for himself late in the cycle here, getting later in the cycle.
You know, my guy, Sam, he likes con can nipple a lot. He's a little higher on him than I am. I just see Ace Bailey and still like this is what the NBA is looking for in terms of a wing with shot making some potential defense, all of that. So I'm still there at three. There's not many teams. I probably wouldn't take Ace Bailey at three. Obviously, it's Phillies. We know that now.
And just to answer that question, I think. I think Philly should make this pick, whether it's ace or like trust your scouts, but make this pick. Do you want to go make a move for an established vet not having? And I'd be pissed if I did that. And then Joel and PG come back and they're injured again. And I missed out on getting a little bit younger with Tyrese and McCain and those guys.
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